Help for Family Caregivers: Respite and Support

A state-by-state guide to public, nonprofit and private programs for family caregivers, covering government health and disability programs, legal help and disease-specific groups, whether your parent lives at home or in a facility.

When to use it: When you need to know what caregiver help exists in your parent's state, especially if you live somewhere else.

A free, private online tool that asks about your situation and then gives personalized guidance, fact sheets, videos and local resource referrals, with a place to keep your caregiving information organized.

When to use it: When you feel overwhelmed and want a personal starting plan and one place to track everything.

One-on-one consultant support is only for San Francisco Bay Area residents; everyone else gets the online tools.

A federally funded program run by your local Area Agency on Aging that can offer caregiver counseling, support groups, training, respite care and limited extra services. It serves family caregivers of adults 60 and older and of people with Alzheimer's of any age; find your local office through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

When to use it: When you are caring for a parent at home and need a break, training, or someone local to help you plan.

Funding is limited, so services and waitlists vary by area; ask early.

A searchable database of respite care providers, such as home care agencies, adult day programs and assisted living communities that offer short stays, so a family caregiver can get a break.

When to use it: When you need someone to cover care for a few hours or days so you can rest, work or travel.

ARCH does not check providers' backgrounds or quality, and the list is not complete.

A free help desk where family caregivers can talk to someone, get answers, and find support, backed by an online toolbox of checklists and condition-specific guides.

When to use it: When you are new to caregiving and need someone to point you to the right tools and next steps.

A VA line for family caregivers of veterans that connects you to the VA Caregiver Support Program, which offers skills training, peer support, coaching and, for some families, a monthly stipend, health insurance and respite.

When to use it: When the parent you are caring for is a veteran enrolled in, or eligible for, VA health care.

Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET

A federal law that lets eligible workers take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave a year to care for a parent with a serious health condition. You generally qualify if your employer has 50 or more employees nearby and you have worked there 12 months and 1,250 hours.

When to use it: When a parent's crisis means you need time off work and want to protect your job while you arrange care.

FMLA leave is unpaid; also ask HR about any paid family leave in your state and your employer's Employee Assistance Program, which often includes free elder care referrals and counseling.

A peer support nonprofit for people caring for a husband, wife or partner with a chronic illness or disability, with phone and in-person support groups, webinars and respite events.

When to use it: When one parent is caring for the other and is exhausted, isolated or needs people who truly understand.

Membership is $39 per year.

A respected national caregiving institute focused on research, caregiver programs and advocacy, with resources such as its Working While Caring guide for people balancing a job and care.

When to use it: When you are juggling work and caregiving and want research-backed guidance.

This is mostly an information and advocacy group, not a direct help line.

A free phone line where agents suggest resources on caregiving topics, in English or Spanish (Spanish line 1-888-971-2013).

When to use it: When you have a caregiving question and want a person to point you to resources.

Agents cannot give specific medical or legal advice.

Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET

A free step-by-step guide for building a caregiving plan: holding a family conversation, gathering documents, and sorting out health, money and legal tasks.

When to use it: When siblings need to divide up tasks, or you want a written plan before the next emergency.

Guides for every state plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands listing key programs, agencies and services for health, legal, financial and respite help.

When to use it: When you need a quick picture of what help exists in your parent's state.

Medicare Part B now covers training for family caregivers on things like giving medications, helping with daily tasks, moving the patient safely and communicating, when it supports the patient's treatment plan. Doctors, nurse practitioners, therapists and some other providers can provide it, individually or in groups, even without the patient present.

When to use it: When you are taking a parent home from the hospital or becoming their hands-on caregiver and need to learn how to do it safely.

The patient normally pays 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible, so ask the provider about cost first.